Several black cab drivers post on here. One of them is a very close friend of mine. Their job is getting harder by the day. I know where my loyalties lie.
They want to pick up tourists from the new London Bridge station exit on Tooley Street and are protesting against not being allowed to drive around there in some way. I dunno.
Whatever. Cabs are pricey and I try to avoid them for the most part. But this sort of protest is a bit much, surely?
Also not allowed through Bank Junction between 7am and 7pm which is lunacy.
It's a lot to do with TFL spending a f****** fortune on new buses and only ever getting two or three people rattling around in them at any one time.
They want to pick up tourists from the new London Bridge station exit on Tooley Street and are protesting against not being allowed to drive around there in some way. I dunno.
Whatever. Cabs are pricey and I try to avoid them for the most part. But this sort of protest is a bit much, surely?
Also not allowed through Bank Junction between 7am and 7pm which is lunacy.
It's a lot to do with TFL spending a f****** fortune on new buses and only ever getting two or three people rattling around in them at any one time.
You're spot on sir.
Our beef is purely with tfl. We are having one road at a time being taken away from us and as they have lost a shit load of passengers on the buses I'll assume this is a tactic to get them out of my cab and onto a bus that can get them to the door.
Considering we have to play by tfls rules and regs. We have to have fully wheelchair accessible vehicles. We are being forced to buy an electric vehicle costing in the region of 65k. Which drivers are currently only getting 60 miles out of on electric.
This latest consultation is to ban us from tooley street but allow buses still to use it. This means if I have to drop my passenger who may be in a wheelchair or partially sighted at the lalit hotel, hays galleria, Southwark crown court, more london, Hilton etc. I have to drop them at the bottom of London bridge and tell them they will have to make the rest of the journey by themselves.
It's the same with the ned at bank junction and more recently nobu Shoreditch during certain times.
'Sorry madam, I know you are blind and i know its dark and not the safest of areas but the nobu Shoreditch Is a couple of hundred yards down the road on the right'
Btw, apologies for the inconvenience the protest have caused anyone on here but protests in general do inconvenience someone somewhere. I'm sure the roland out protests have caused a bit of grief for some of us but we know we need to get our voices heard.
There are protests every week in London which cause me problems and we had them all last week with extinction rebellion closing bridges and stopping traffic.
So once again apologies if it's inconvenienced you.
Btw, apologies for the inconvenience the protest have caused anyone on here but protests in general do inconvenience someone somewhere. I'm sure the roland out protests have caused a bit of grief for some of us but we know we need to get our voices heard.
There are protests every week in London which cause me problems and we had them all last week with extinction rebellion closing bridges and stopping traffic.
So once again apologies if it's inconvenienced you.
Call James O'brien on LBC about it next time he has the mayor on mate. He really speaks out for cabbies
If you are going to protest, the minimum you should do is communicate what you are protesting about. Walked the length of LB this evening and was none the wiser about what it was about.
Well said randy hunt. The job has become harder and harder. TfL keep changing the rules. Working man trying to stick up for themselves and protect their trade. I say hats off. #realltda.
My wife's cousin became a cabbie about 18 months ago and he's struggled to be honest. Might be partly being a newbie but seems the demand is no longer there like it one was, probably due to the apps like Uber.
£65k for one that can only do 60 miles on electric is ridiculous.
black cabs will always get tourist trade or in areas that money is not an issue overlooking kensington high street from work they do a good trade, in london i would say more minicab firms struggle because of uber than black cabs, also depends on the person i usually will walk or jump on a tube a few stops than get a taxi, we have a pretty good transport system and i have a travelcard why not use it, even the night tube will have an effect, issue for black cab drivers is what else can they do for a job the only other job that requires a knowledge what they have is courier work which with all the emission laws is going to be only carried out at unsociable hours soon enough.
with regards to protests - no issue certainly a lot more deserving than some of the ridiculous protests we have in the capital.
black cabs will always get tourist trade or in areas that money is not an issue overlooking kensington high street from work they do a good trade, in london i would say more minicab firms struggle because of uber than black cabs, also depends on the person i usually will walk or jump on a tube a few stops than get a taxi, we have a pretty good transport system and i have a travelcard why not use it, even the night tube will have an effect, issue for black cab drivers is what else can they do for a job the only other job that requires a knowledge what they have is courier work which with all the emission laws is going to be only carried out at unsociable hours soon enough.
As above. Londons public transport is good and as an over 60 i get it for free. Like any other industry cab drivers must adapt and move on. If not happy retrain for something else.
Talking to a cabbie last week, he said most of his fares these days comes from their app, rather than being hailed on the street. Be interested if that's the case for our resident drivers?
If you are going to protest, the minimum you should do is communicate what you are protesting about. Walked the length of LB this evening and was none the wiser about what it was about.
100%
Walked past it twice over two nights and the only sign I've seen is 'Shame on you if you work while others protest' and groups of cabbies huddled around chatting. No attempt to engage with people walking past or explain what they're doing.
If you are going to protest, the minimum you should do is communicate what you are protesting about. Walked the length of LB this evening and was none the wiser about what it was about.
100%
Walked past it twice over two nights and the only sign I've seen is 'Shame on you if you work while others protest' and groups of cabbies huddled around chatting. No attempt to engage with people walking past or explain what they're doing.
I ended up finding out from a CoL Police officer last night, and the cabbies just stood around having a chat.
My wife's cousin became a cabbie about 18 months ago and he's struggled to be honest. Might be partly being a newbie but seems the demand is no longer there like it one was, probably due to the apps like Uber.
£65k for one that can only do 60 miles on electric is ridiculous.
I became one 13 months ago. Wouldn't change it for the world apart from tfls management of the roads and as odd as it sounds I wouldn't want uber to be banned. Keep an eye out for Ola. They are bankrolled by the same people as uber do will be interesting to see them 2 competing against each other.
The demand is still there. The summer we just had was crazy and I didn't have time to stop for a piss or a coffee. I do get my quiet days but when I have a quiet day, my mate has a blinder. It's just a game of luck.
The games dead crew are the ones that used to work 3 days a week and then spend the rest playing golf. Just like the old posties finishing there round at midday. I can't think of many jobs where you can do that now days.
I get into town for 11 and home by 9 and I'm happy with my takings but I'm a lazy fecker that don't want to put the hours in.
Talking to a cabbie last week, he said most of his fares these days comes from their app, rather than being hailed on the street. Be interested if that's the case for our resident drivers?
I use the apps but very rarely. If it pings off and the job is literally round the corner then I will take it. Most days I come home having done 1 app job but all my work is off the street or ranks.
Came close to doing the knowledge a few years back but for one reason or another it never happened Think there is still a decent trade out there but you'd have to graft for it. The biggest irk for me would be thinking about loss of earnings due to the fact TFL run a road network that is nowhere near fit for purpose . Cabbies must spend a huge chunk of their day not really moving much.
TFL decisions to close key roads at a moment's notice is bewildering. But it's not normally only one key road in any given area. They'll go and shut two or maybe three in close proximity causing complete chaos when there really is no need. They're either completely thick or f*****g really spiteful. Think it's a bit of both tbh.
[cite]Posted By: 04 MCS[/cite]JW, did the cabbie bubble ya?
No bless him, I've since got to know him well and truth to tell it was actually his missus that eventually did the off having been playing away whilst he was working nights.
Just goes to show eh.
Shows not to trust @JWADDICK with your wife if you work nights!
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Wasn't aware of this mate. Fingers crossed for you.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Sounds like the perfect job for you and hope you have some joy with the IVF.
My Uncle was a Cabbie for 20 years before moving out of London. He's always moaning about Uber but I would always take them purely because of cost.
I love the historical Black Cab but unfortunately it's just too expensive. Will always get the tourism though and I hope it can be a career for many.
7 years a cabbie and still love it. Can’t beat the flexibility of the job. About 50% of my takings are via the mytaxi app (formerly Hailo) and most street hails pay by card, so long gone are the days where you can hide your money from the taxman.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Thanks, I know a cabbie at my gym and he tries to work midday to midnight, six days a week. Not sure if he has a target but if the works there he stays with it otherwise he may come home early.
As mentioned above TFL don't make it easy for you with loads of roads closed in the same area at once.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Wasn't aware of this mate. Fingers crossed for you.
Cheers gaz. Works every time but just doesn't seem to stick. Hopefully this time it does.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
I have a daily target and never have any problem getting it but I'm also not a grafter.
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
Thanks, I know a cabbie at my gym and he tries to work midday to midnight, six days a week. Not sure if he has a target but if the works there he stays with it otherwise he may come home early.
As mentioned above TFL don't make it easy for you with loads of roads closed in the same area at once.
This could be my downfall. Its defo best if you are having a good day & its busy you should stay out & make the most of it as a quiet day will be around the corner.
However I choose to head home once I've got my dollar & spend time with the mrs/nephews etc than chase the money. Its still a pukka job but as you say TFL are doing their best to make it as stressful as possible.
Comments
It's a lot to do with TFL spending a f****** fortune on new buses and only ever getting two or three people rattling around in them at any one time.
I like black cabs and I've never had an issue with one but in this economy you've got to look out for number one.
Our beef is purely with tfl. We are having one road at a time being taken away from us and as they have lost a shit load of passengers on the buses I'll assume this is a tactic to get them out of my cab and onto a bus that can get them to the door.
Considering we have to play by tfls rules and regs. We have to have fully wheelchair accessible vehicles. We are being forced to buy an electric vehicle costing in the region of 65k. Which drivers are currently only getting 60 miles out of on electric.
This latest consultation is to ban us from tooley street but allow buses still to use it. This means if I have to drop my passenger who may be in a wheelchair or partially sighted at the lalit hotel, hays galleria, Southwark crown court, more london, Hilton etc. I have to drop them at the bottom of London bridge and tell them they will have to make the rest of the journey by themselves.
It's the same with the ned at bank junction and more recently nobu Shoreditch during certain times.
'Sorry madam, I know you are blind and i know its dark and not the safest of areas but the nobu Shoreditch Is a couple of hundred yards down the road on the right'
There are protests every week in London which cause me problems and we had them all last week with extinction rebellion closing bridges and stopping traffic.
So once again apologies if it's inconvenienced you.
;-)
£65k for one that can only do 60 miles on electric is ridiculous.
with regards to protests - no issue certainly a lot more deserving than some of the ridiculous protests we have in the capital.
Like any other industry cab drivers must adapt and move on. If not happy retrain for something else.
Walked past it twice over two nights and the only sign I've seen is 'Shame on you if you work while others protest' and groups of cabbies huddled around chatting. No attempt to engage with people walking past or explain what they're doing.
The demand is still there. The summer we just had was crazy and I didn't have time to stop for a piss or a coffee. I do get my quiet days but when I have a quiet day, my mate has a blinder. It's just a game of luck.
The games dead crew are the ones that used to work 3 days a week and then spend the rest playing golf. Just like the old posties finishing there round at midday. I can't think of many jobs where you can do that now days.
I get into town for 11 and home by 9 and I'm happy with my takings but I'm a lazy fecker that don't want to put the hours in.
Do you have a daily target and stay out till you reach it or give it up and wait and see what tomorrow brings?
Think there is still a decent trade out there but you'd have to graft for it.
The biggest irk for me would be thinking about loss of earnings due to the fact TFL run a road network that is nowhere near fit for purpose . Cabbies must spend a huge chunk of their day not really moving much.
TFL decisions to close key roads at a moment's notice is bewildering. But it's not normally only one key road in any given area. They'll go and shut two or maybe three in close proximity causing complete chaos when there really is no need.
They're either completely thick or f*****g really spiteful. Think it's a bit of both tbh.
No bless him, I've since got to know him well and truth to tell it was actually his missus that eventually did the off having been playing away whilst he was working nights.
Just goes to show eh.
Shows not to trust @JWADDICK with your wife if you work nights!
A few mates do midday to midnight. The beauty of the job for me is more the fact I can choose when I start work and when I finish.
Last week the Mrs was in hospital as we are going through our 4th round of ivf and I didn't need to worry about having time off. I simply worked around it and didn't lose out.
As I said before most days I start at 11 as i like a bit of a lay in, but recently I've been getting into town for 7 in the morning and getting home for 4/5. A couple of weeks ago I started at 5am with a prebook job from Brixton to Gatwick and was home at 2pm.
My Uncle was a Cabbie for 20 years before moving out of London. He's always moaning about Uber but I would always take them purely because of cost.
I love the historical Black Cab but unfortunately it's just too expensive. Will always get the tourism though and I hope it can be a career for many.
As mentioned above TFL don't make it easy for you with loads of roads closed in the same area at once.
Suppose the stress of the knowledge hasn't helped
However I choose to head home once I've got my dollar & spend time with the mrs/nephews etc than chase the money. Its still a pukka job but as you say TFL are doing their best to make it as stressful as possible.